Shaquille O’Neal joined the Dale & Holley show Tuesday following his press conference to discuss signing with the Celtics and how he is excited to join a franchise that he considers ‘rich in the tradition of winning.” O’Neal explained that he and coach Doc Rivers met in Orlando, not in Italy. ‘Actually it wasn’t Italy, he lives in a place that has Italy in it in, Orlando,’ O’Neal said.

On meeting Doc Rivers in ‘Italy’:

‘We met and we had a conversation. He said, ‘Big guy, [what are] you going to do,’ and I said, ‘I want to play for a winner.’ He said, ‘Well, we’re winners,’ [and] I said, ‘Well, lets talk about it.’ So we talked about it. I had dinner with him and his lovely family and he said what he expected from me and I told him what I expected, I think it will be a good fit. I’ve been a winner my whole career [and] I wanted to play my last two years with a franchise that’s known for winning, a franchise that’s rich in the tradition of winning.’

‘I don’t really have an opinion on it. I just know that everyone is going to handle their situation different. Me and LeBron are friends, we grew real close last year and I just wish him well. I don’t have an opinion on that.’

According to Yahoo! Sports and the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls are interested in shopping their No. 17 pick. The Tribune mentions the possibility of a deal that would send Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich and the draft pick to a possible suitor. An ESPN report indicates the Clippers might be willing to surrender the No. 8 pick for Deng and the 17th pick. That’s a deal that would make sense for both sides, as the Clippers would get a solid 3 man while the Bulls would free up more money to acquire a big-name free agent.

Doc Rivers joined the Dennis & Callahan show Monday morning to discuss not only his future as coach of the Celtics but also his reaction to Game 7 of the NBA finals. Said Rivers: ‘It’s uncomfortable to talk about [this coaching situation] and its uncomfortable where you go where people want to talk about it, so that’s probably why I want to make the decision sooner than later.’

Did any [members of your family] put the question to you yesterday: Why don’t you stick around for a year or two?

We didn’t talk about it all, really. We’ve on even brought it up once since the season has been over. It is still very difficult to get though Game 7, let alone talk about your future, if you want to be honest.

You could look us in the eye, if we were face to face, and say you haven’t made a decision yet?

Yeah, I could. I could do that and could do it honestly. I am not going to say which way I am leaning ‘ and I am one way ‘ but I could look you in the eye and say that I have not made a decision. We have only had a small conversation, and we are going to do that in the next week or so. Read the rest of this entry »